Roundup: Anti-Choicers Push Fetal Pain Legislation

Welcome to the new morning roundup format! Similar to the afternoon roundup, we are hoping to share more news and inspire more conversation. As always, we’d love to know what you think! This morning brings state anti-choice legislation, the search for child care in one of the nation’s most expensive markets, HIV is spreading in Afghanistan, and a conservative app gets the ax from Apple.

A state legislator in Iowa wants to limit the number of weeks abortion is legal in the state, but is facing opposition from other lawmakers, activist groups, and physicians. “Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City concurred with Mascher, calling it “very bad” if the state attempted to interfere with the affairs of a woman and her doctor.”

“Fetal pain” bills will be a focus of state anti-choice movements this year. National Right to Life met earlier this week to applaud the Nebraska law based on the disputed notion of “fetal pain” and to train its people on how to push those types of bills through state legislatures.

Finding quality, affordable child care is a challenge for every family, especially in Boston, MA, one of the most expensive markets in the city. The writer documents her personal quest for care for her two daughters, and talks to other mothers who have made a range of choices to care for their young children.

The founder of Students for Life of America pats herself on the back for increasing a forced-birth presence on college campuses across the country. Why the campus focus? Because “this is where these girls are having the abortions” and while students may enter college identifying as “pro-life” they tend to leave identifying as pro-choice. Maybe that’s called life experience and maturity?

Need to prove your anti-choice and homophobic street cred? There is no longer an app for that. Well, at least for now. Evangelical Christians are asking Apple to reconsider the Manhattan Declaration app it pulled recently for being “offensive,” and have started a petition demanding their app be made available once again.

Intravenous drug use in Afghanistan is rising, and with it, an increase in HIV infections. Experts are warning that if the spread is not halted, crisis could break out in the war-torn nation.

…and while students may enter college identifying as “pro-life” they tend to leave identifying as pro-choice. Maybe that’s called life experience and maturity?

I found this interesting if only because I teach Human Sexuality and I never cease to be amazed at the number of papers I read where students, both male and female, talk about how they used to consider themselves PL but through education and life experience they can’t call themselves that anymore. They really do recognize that choosing life for themselves is one thing, but forcing others is another. I love the university environment and the power of education. :)